By PATRICK BUCHNOWSKI
A Johnstown man was jailed Monday after West Hills Regional police said he stole pocketfuls of change from cars in the Southmont Borough area early Monday.
Dante Deleon Witten, 18, of the
200 block of Ebensburg Road, was caught after a foot pursuit near Murphy’s tavern.
Police said he entered four unlocked vehicles around 4:40 a.m. in the area of Christine Court but was chased away by a man who then called 911.
A juvenile also is being questioned, police said.
West Hills police said they are unsure if Witten is responsible for the rash of car entries in the area.
Upper Yoder Township police want to question him in connection with entries into five unlocked vehicles in the same area Monday, township police Sgt. Jeff Berkebile said.
Loose change and a GPS were taken, Berke-bile said.
Richland and Stonycreek police
K-9 units assisted in catching Witten.
“He walked from Roxbury and then began to go window shopping,” West Hills police Sgt. George Musulin III said.
Witten was charged with loitering and prowling at nighttime, corruption of minors, conspiracy to commit theft from a motor vehicle and theft from a motor vehicle.
Witten was arraigned by District Judge Michael Musulin of Johnstown and was sent to the Cambria County Prison after failing to post $15,000 bond.
Car owners should keep their vehicles locked and keep valuables out of sight, Musulin said.
